Apparatus and method to retrieve bowl protector prior to landing hanger

ABSTRACT

A method tor completing a well includes drilling a well through a wellhead having an annular bowl protector inserted therein. The bowl protector lias an internal recess. A lower end of a casing string is lowered through the bowl protector. A centrahzer having a plurality of lugs on an outer surface is installed on a retrieval joint of casing of the casing string. The retrieval joint of casing and the eentralizer is lowered so the logs engage the internal recess of the bowl protector. The retrieval joint of casing is raised to lift the centralker and bowl protector out of the wellhead.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates in general to protecting wellhead boresduring drilling and casing operations and more particularly, to methodsfor removing a wellhead protector after casing has been run and beforethe casing hanger is landed.

2. Description of Prior Art

During drilling operations, bowl protectors are sometimes used toprevent damage to wellhead bore seal surfaces as drilling equipmentpasses through the wellhead. A bowl protector is a generally elongatedsleeve-like element thai traditionally is removed alter drillingoperations and prior to running casing or tubing into the well. However,removal of the bowl protector leaves the bore seal surfaces unprotectedand thus highly vulnerable to damage by centralizers, casing collars andother equipment that must pass through the wellhead after drillingoperations. It is imperative that bore seal surfaces remain tree ofscars that may occur while running the casing in order to be able to setthe metal to metal, elastonseric, or other types of seals that are usedto pack off the annulus between the casing and the wellhead.

Certain protectors that can remain in place while running casing ortubing into a well include a false bowl that has a seat or casing hangerfor supporting the casing within the well. This false bowl, howevertakes up space within the wellhead, particularly at and below the seatthat supports the casing within the wellhead. Therefore the maximumouter diameter of casing that can be landed in the well is reduced. Theouter diameter of the casing is limited by the inner diameter of thefalse bowl component of the bowl protector assembly.

Other known methods for recieving a bowl protector regain; a number ofspecialised components that move both axially radially in relation toeach other for energizing and actuating the retrieval mechanism. Thesespecialized components can be costly and can be at higher risk forfailure in the operation of the multiple moving pans.

The apparatus and method of the embodiments of the current disclosurewill allow continuous protection of the bowl during both drillingoperations and running of the casing. Because all of the components ofthe bowl protector assembly of this disclosure are retrieved prior tolanding the casing hanger, the bowl protector assembly does not take upspace in the well while the well is producing. Therefore the outerdiameter of the casing that is landed in the wellhead is notsignificantly limited by the bowl protector. Elements of the embodimentsof the current disclosure ate readily available and relatively low costcompared to other known methods. In addition, no rotation of the casingis required during retrieval of the bowl protector.

In one embodiment of the current disclosure, a method for completing awell includes drilling a well through a wellhead having an annular bowlprotector inserted therein. The bowl protector has an internal recess. Acasing string is lowered through the bowl protector. A centralizerhaving a plurality of lugs on an outer surface is installed on aretrieval joint of casing of the casing string. The retrieval joint ofcasing and the centralizer are lowered so the lugs engage the internalrecess of the bowl protector. The retrieval joint of casing is raised tolift the centralizer and bowl protector out of the wellhead.

In an alternative embodiment of the current disclosure, a method forcompleting a well includes drilling the well through a wellhead having abowl protector inserted therein, the bowl protector having an internalrecess. A casing string is lowered through the bowl protector. Acentralizer having a plurality of centralizer segments is installed on aretrieval joint of casing of the casing string and connections betweeneach centralizer segment are completed. The centralizer has a pluralityof lugs on an outer surface. The retrieval joint of casing and thecentralize are lowered so the lugs engage the internal recess of thebowl protector. The retrieval joint of casing is then raised to lift thecentralizer and bowl protector out of the wellhead. The bowl protectoris removed from the centralizer and the centralize is removed from theretrieval joint of casing. A casing hanger is attached to the casingstring and the casing hanger is landed in the wellhead.

In another alternative embodiment of the current disclosure, a methodtor completing a well includes drilling the well through a wellheadhaving a bowl protector inserted therein. The bowl protector has aninternal recess and a plurality of slots extending from the internalrecess to a top end of the bowl protector. A casing string is loweredthrough the bowl protector. A retrieval tool is installed on a retrievaljoint of casing of the casing string. The retrieval tool has two or morecentralizer segments and a plurality of bowed members. Lugs are fastenedto an outer surface of the bowed members. The retrieval joint of casingand the retrieval tool is lowered so the lugs engage the internal recessof the bowl protector. The retrieval joint of casing is raised to liftthe retrieval tool and bowl protector out of the wellhead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some of the features and benefits of the present disclosure having beenstated, others Will become apparent as the description proceeds whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a wellhead with a bowl protector and bowlprotector retrieval tool in accordance with an embodiment of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the wellhead with the bowlprotector and bowl protector retrieval tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the bowlprotector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectiooal view of a portion of the bowl protector and thebowl protector retrieval tool of FIG 1.

FIG. 5A is sectional view of a wellhead with a bowl protector retrievaltool on a retrieval joint of casing and retrieving a bowl protector maccordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the bowl protector and bowl protectorretrieval tool of FIG. 5A, with the bowl protector removed from the bowlprotector rretrieval tool protector retrieval tool opened.

FIG. 5C is a sectional view of the bowl protector of FIG. 5A after thebowl protector retrieval tool has been removed from the casing string.

FIG. 5D is a schematic sectional view of a casing hanger attached to ajoint of casing for lowering m the wellhead in accordance with anembodiment of this disclosure.

While the disclosure will be described in connection with the preferredembodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit thedisclosure to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE

The method and system of the present disclosure will now be describedmore folly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich embodiments are shown. The method and system of the presentdisclosure may be in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

It is to be further understood that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exactmaterials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications andequivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawingsarid specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodimentsand, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Referring to FIG. 1, well 11 has a wellhead 15 located at an upper endof the well 11. Wellhead 15 is supported by base plate 12. Wellhead 15has an inner bore 17 and a central axis 19. A conductor pipe 13 andsurface casing 14 extend downward tram wellhead 15 into well 11. A bowlprotector 21 with a central bore 22 is landed coaxially within the innerbore 17 of wellhead 15. Bowl protector 21 is a generally elongatedsleeve-like member that can prevent damage to seal surfaces of the innerbore 17 as drilling equipment (not shown) passes through the wellhead15, and as a casing suing 24 is lowered through the wellhead 15. Thecasing string 24 includes two or more joints of casing 23 which areconnected together with collars 20, or with threaded pins and boxes orother known connection method.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, bowl protector 21 has an upper shoulder 25 anda lower shoulder 27. Upper shoulder 25 and lower shoulder 27 each havecircumferential sloped downward facing surfaces. Wellhead 15 has anupper mating surface 29 and a lower mating surface 31 for supportingseparate casing hangers 71 (FIG. 5D). During production, lower matingsurface can support a first casing string 24 and upper mating surface 29can support a second, smaller diameter casing string (not shown). Upperand lower mating surfaces 29, 31 are both upward facing circumferentialsurfaces on inner bore 17. Lower shoulder 27 mates with lower matingsurface 31 of wellhead 15 when bowl protector 21 is landed in wellhead15. In an ideal embodiment, upper shoulder 25 does not mate with uppermating surface 29 of wellhead 15 when bowl protector 21 is landed inwellhead 15. Instead, only lower mating surface 29 supports bowlprotector 21 within wellhead 15.

Bowl protector 21 of FIG. 1-2 extends upwards past the upper matingsurface 29 to protect the inner bore 17 above upper shoulder 25 andextends downwards to protect the inner bore 17 below lower matingsurface 31. In alternative embodiments, upper shoulder 25 can mate withupper mating surface 29 of wellhead 15 when bowl protector 21 is landedin wellhead 15 and support bowl protector 21 within wellhead 15 andlower shoulder 27 does not mate with lower mating surface 29. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, upper and lower mating surfaces 29, 31 are shownas parts of separate members from wellhead 15, such as being formed froman annular sealing member. In alternative embodiments upper and lowermating surfaces 29, 31 can be integrated parts of wellhead 15.

If a casing hanger 71 (FIG. 5D) is already landed on the lower matingsurface 31, bowl protector 21 will be shorter than as illustrated FIGS.1-2 and will have only an upper shoulder 25 and no lower shoulder 27. Insuch an embodiment, upper shoulder 25 mates with upper mating surface 29of wellhead 15 when bowl protector 21 is landed in wellhead 15. Incertain other embodiments, such as when wellhead 15 is a single bowlwellhead (not shown), bowl protector 21 has a single shoulder andwellhead 15 has a single mating surface.

The outer diameter of bowl protector 21 reduces from the rop end 33 ofbowl protector 21 to the lower end of bowl protector 21. A firstreduction in the order diameter of bowl protector 21 occurs at uppershoulder 25 and a second reduction in the outer diameter of bowlprotector 21. occurs at lower shoulder 27. The bowl protector 21 has aninternal recess 35, which includes a downward lacing ledge 37 and anupward facing ledge 39. A top inclined edge 38 extends from the top endof the bowl protector 21 to the central bore 22 of the bowl protector21. The top inclined edge 38 can have a sloped upward facing surface.

Turning now to FIG. 3, bowl protector 21 also has a number of slots 41.Each slot 41 extends generally axially from the internal recess 33 tothe top end 33 of bowl protector 21. The downward facing ledge 37 isremoved by each slot 41 so that downward facing ledge 37 is omitted forthe circumferential extent of each slot 41. Bowl protector 21 can alsohave a lug stop 43 located on a lateral side of slot 41. Lug stop 43 isa vortical member that extends front downward lacing ledge 37 to upwardfeeing ledge 39 and protrudes radially inward. In the embodiment of FIG.3, lug stop 43 is beared on the left or counterclockwise relative toslot 41.

Returning to FIG. 1, a bowl protector retrieval loot 45 can be used toretrieve bowl protector 21 from the wellhead 15. Looking at FIG. 4,retrieval tool 45 can include a centralizer 47, such as a cagecentralizer. Centralizer 47 has two or more centralizer segments 49 thatcan be releasably connected together. Each centralizer segment 49 has anupper ring portion 51 and a lower ring portion 53. Each upper ringportion 51 extends in a partially circular shape from a first side to asecond side so that when the centralizer segments 49 are connectedtogether, upper ring portions 51 form an upper ring 52 that is ringshaped in cross section relative to the central axis 19. Similarly, eachlower ring portion 53 extends in a partially circular shape from a firstside to a second side so that when the centralize segments 49 areconnected together, the lower ring portions 53 form a lower ring 54 thatis ring shaped in cross section, relative to the central axis 19. Theouter diameter of the upper ring 52 is generally equal to the outerdiameter of lower ring 54 and is less than the inner diameter of thecentral bore 22 of bowl protector 21.

Each upper ring portion 51 has an upper connecting member 55 at both ofits lateral sides. Each lower ring portion 53 has a lower connectingmember 57 at both of its lateral sides. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, theupper and lower connecting members 55, 57 are hinge connecting members,but other known connection means can be used in alternative embodiments.A pin 59 can couple the upper connecting member 55 of each tipper ringportion 51 to the upper connecting member 55 of the adjacent centralixersegment 49. Similarly, a pin 59 can couple the lower connecting member57 of each lower ring portion 53 to the lower connecting member 57 ofthe adjacent centralizer segment 49.

Each centralizer segment 49 also has one or more bowed members 61. Bowedmembers 61 are generally elongate members that extend generally axiallyfrom the lower ring portion 53 to the upper ring portion 51. Bowedmembers 61 are curved such that they do not extend in a single planefrom the lower ring portion 53 to the upper ring portion 51, but insteadcurve radially outward from the lower ring portion 53 to a location ofmaximum radial displacement 62 and then curve radially inward againtowards the upper ring portion 51. When the centralizer segments 49 areconnected together to form centralizer 47, the outer diameter of thecombined bowed members 61 at the location of maximum radial displacement62 will be greater than the inner diameter of the central bore 22 ofbowl protector 21.

Each bowed member 61 has an outer surface 63. A lug 65 can be fastenedto the outer surface 63 of a number of the bowed members 61. Forexample, a lug 65 can be hastened to the outer surface 63 of four of thebowed members 61, or in the alternative, a lug 65 can be fastened tomore or less bowed member 61. The number of logs 65 will be equal to orless than the number of slots 41 in bowl protector 21. Each lug 65 canbe fixed to a bowed member 61 at or proximal to the location of maximumradial displacement 62. Each lug 65 is fixed to the outer surface 63 ofcentralizer 47 in such a way that the lug 65 does not move relative tothe outer surface 63 to which they are fixed. Lugs 65 can be, forexample, formed of metal and welded to centralizer 47.

Each lug 65 can be a cube or box shaped member that has a lug topsurface 67 that faces upwards and an opposite lug bottom surface 69 thatfaces downwards when lug 65 is attached to the centralizer 47. In anexample, lugs 65 axe sized so that the lug top surface 67 engagesdownward facing ledge 37 of the bowl protector 21. In this embodiment, aportion of the lug 65 sits within the internal recess 35 with sufficientspace within the internal recess 35 so that the lug bottom surface 69does not interfere with the upward facing ledge 39 of the bowl protector21.

Looking again at FIGS. 1-2, in an example of operation, the wellhead 15can be lowered onto the upper end of the well 11 and secured in atraditional manner. Bowl protector 21 is then landed within the innerbore 17 of the wellhead 15. This can be accomplished, for example, byconnecting the bowl protector 21 to a pipe string and lowering the bowlprotector 21 until the lower shoulder 27 lands on the lower matingsurface 31 of wellhead 15. Alternatively, bowl protector 21 is lowereduntil upper shoulder 25 lands on the upper mating surface 29 of wellhead15. The operator can then continue to drill the well 11 tough the bowlprotector 21 to a greater depth.

When the desired drilling depth is reached, a lower end of casing string24 can be lowered through the bowl protector 21. Bowl protector 21 canbe retrieved by the retrieval tool 45 before the casing hanger 71 (FIG.5D) is landed in wellhead 15. With at least one upper connecting member55 (FIG. 4) and lower connecting member 57 of a centralizer segment 49unconnected from the upper and lower connecting member 55, 57,respectively, of an adjacent centralizer segment 49, centralizer 47 canbe installed on a retrieval joint of casing 73. The retrieval joint ofcasing 73 is a joint of casing 23 that is connected to, and made part ofcasing string 24. Retrieval joint of casing 73 is located below thejoint of casing 23 that will be attached to casing hanger 71. In apreferred embodiment retrieval joint of casing 72 is located so that thebowl protector 21 is retrieved immediately prior to landing the casinghanger 71. However, any number of joints of casing 23 can be locatedbetween the retrieval joint of casing 73 and the joint of casing 23 thatwill be attached to casing hanger 71. Centralizer 47 can be installed onthe retrieval joint of casing 73 by wrapping centralize 47 around theretrieval joint of casing 73. Any unconnected upper and lower connectingmembers 55, 57 between adjacent centralizer segments 49 can then be madeup by completing the connections. Completing the connections between thecentralizer segments 47 can be accomplished, for example, placing a pin59 through upper and lower connecting members 55, 57 of adjacentcentralizer segments 47 when upper and lower connecting members 55, 57are hinge connecting members. The inner diameter of the lower ring 54and upper ring 52 will be slightly larger than the outer diameter of theretrieval; joint of casing 73 hut smaller than the inner diameter ofcollar 20 so drat centralizer 47 is free to move axially along a portionof the retrieval joint of casing 73, but will be axially limited by thecollars 20 which are located at the top and bottom ends of retrievaljoint of casing 73.

The casing string 24 can then be lowered into wellhead 15. The lowerring 54 will enter the central bore 22 of bowl protector 21. As bowedmembers 61 move axlaiiy downward within central bore 22 of bowlprotector 21, because the bowed members 61 curve outward, bowed members61 will eventually contact central bore 22 of bowl protector 21. Topinclined edge 38 will assist in smoothly urging the bowed members 61inward. Bowed members 61 will then act as radially outward biased springmembers. When lugs 65 reach top inclined edge 38, lugs 65 will also beurged inward to be able to continue to move axially downwards withinbowl protector 21. As each lug top surface 67 travels downward past thedownward facing ledge 37 of the bowl protector 21, bowed members 61 willmove lug 65 radially outwards and into internal recess 35 of bowlprotector 21 so that each lug 65 is engaged with internal recess 35.Because the outer diameter of the combined bowed members 61 at thelocation of maximum radial displacement 62 when no outside forces areacting on the centralizer is greater titan the inner diameter of thecentral bore 22 of bowl protector 21, bowed members 61 will continue toact as radially outward biased spring members and retain each lug 65within internal recess 35.

Looking at FIGS. 4-5A, with the bowl protector 21 coupled to theretrieval tool 45, the operator can then raise the casing string 24 tolift the retrieval tool 45 and bowl protector 21 out of the wellhead 15.As the retrieval tool 45 moves upward, retrieval tool 45 will rest onthe collar 20 at the bottom end of the retrieval joint of casing 73.Each lug top surface 67 will engage the downward facing ledge 37 of thebowl protector 21, causing the bowl protector 21 to also move upwardsand out of the wellhead 15. When the bowl protector 21 reachessufficient elevation to be able to be accessed by the operator, such aswhen the bowl protector 21 reaches the rig floor, the operator can thenremove the bore protector 21 from the centralizer 47 by rotating thebowl protector 21 until lugs 65 of centralizer 47 line up or align withslots 41 of the bowl protector 21. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bowlprotector 21 would be rotated clockwise relative to the centralizer 47.The lugs 65 of centralizer 47 cars then be slid axially through slots 41so that bowl protector 21 can move downward relative to centralizer 47to remove central laser 47 from the central bore 22 of bowl protector21. Lug stops 43 will help ensure that slots 41 are not rotated pastlugs 65. In addition, lug stops 43 will ensure that any counterclockwise rotation of bowl protector 21 relative to centralizer 47 wouldnot allow the lugs 65 to become aligned with slots 41. After removingthe centralizer 47 from the bowl protector 21, the bowl protector 21 canbe externally supported to prevent it from sliding back down into thewellhead 15. This can be done, for example, by placing hoards or blockson the drill floor underneath the bowl protector 21.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5B, after the bowl protector 21 is removed fromthe centralizer 47, the retrieval tool 45 can be removed from theretrieval joint of casing 73. The connections between the centralizersegments 47 can be uncoupled, for example, by removing the pin 59 fromthe upper and lower connecting members 55, 57 of adjacent eentxalizersegments 47. The retrieval tool 45 can then be opened or split to befree of the retrieval joint of casing 73 and can be removed, leaving thebowl protector 21 on the casing string 24, as show in in FIG. 5C.

Looking at FIGS. 5C-5D, when the joints of casing 23 of the casingstring 24 are detached from each other to allow for the casing hanger 71to be attached, the bowl protector 21 can be slid over the exposed endof casing string 24 to remove the bowl protector 21 from the casingstring 24. The casing hanger 71 can then be attached to the casingstring 24 and landed in wellhead 15. If wellhead 15 is a multibowlwellhead, the method can be repeated with a bowl protector 21 thatprotects the remaining open bowls of wellhead 15.

The present disclosure described herein, therefore, is well adapted tocarry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, aswell as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodimentof the disclosure has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerouschanges exist in the details of procedures tor accomplishing the desiredresults. These and other similar modifications will readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to beencompassed within the spirit of the present disclosure disclosed hereinand the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is.
 1. A method for completing a well, comprising: (a)drilling the well through a wellhead having an annular bowl protectorinserted therein, the bowl protector having an internal recess; (b)lowering a lower end of a casing string through the bowl protector; (c)installing a centralmer on a retrieval joint of casing of the casingstring, the centralizer having a plurality of logs on an outer surface;(d) lowering the retrieval joint of casing and the centralizer so thelugs engage the internal recess of the bowl protector; and (e) raisingthe retrieval joint of casing to lift the centralizer and bowl protectorout of the wellhead.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bowlprotector has a plurality of slots extending from the internal recess toa top end of the bowl protector, the method further comprising removingthe bowl protector from the centralizer by rotating the bowl protectorrelative to the centralizer to align the lugs with the slots and slidingthe lugs axially through the slots.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe bowl protector has a plurality of slots extending from the internalrecess to a top end of the bowl protector, the method further comprisingremoving the bowl protector from the centralizer by rotating the bowlprotector clockwise relative to the centralizer to align the lugs withthe slots and sliding the lugs axially through the slots.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the bowl protector has four slots extending from theinternal recess to a top end of the bowl protector and the number oflugs is four, the method further comprising removing the bowl protectorfrom the centralizer by rotating the bowl protector relative to thecentralizer to align the four lugs with the four slots and sliding thelugs axially through the slots.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thebowl protector has a plurality of slots extending from the internalrecess to a top end of the bowl protector, and a lug stop located on alateral side of at least one slot, the method bather comprising rotatingthe bowl protector relative to the centralizer until at least one of thelugs contacts the lug stop, then sliding the lugs axlaljy through theslots to remove the bowl protector from the centralizer.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein each lug has a top surface and the internal recesshas a downward facing ledge, wherein raising the bowl protector out ofthe wellhead comprises engaging each lug top surface with the downwardfacing ledge.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method timbercomprises after step (e); removing the bowl protector from thecentralizer; removing the centralizer from the retrieval joint ofcasing; and landing a casing hanger in the wellhead.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the retrieval joint of casing is below a joint ofcasing for attaching to a casing hanger, the method further comprising,after step (e), landing the casing hanger in the wellhead.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the centralizer comprises two or more centralizersegments, and wherein step (c) farther comprises completing a connectionbetween the eentralizer segments.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thecentrahzer comprises two or more centralizer segments, and wherein step(c) further comprises completing a plurality of connections between thecentralizer segments so that each centrahzer segment is releasablyattached to an adjacent centralizer segment and the eentralizer can moveaxially along a portion of the retrieval joint of casing.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the eentralizer comprises a plurality of bowedmembers and the lugs are located on an outer surface of the bowedmembers, wherein step (d) comprises urging the bowed members inward thenallowing the bowed members to move outward to engage the lugs with theinternal recess of the bowl protector.
 12. A method for completing awell, comprising: (a) drilling the well through a wellhead having a bowlprotector inserted therein, the bowl protector having an internalrecess; (b) lowering a lower end of a casing string through the bowlprotector; (c) installing a centralizer having a plurality ofcentralizer segments on a retrieval joint of casing of the casingstring, and completing connections between each centrahzer segment, thecentralizer having a plurality of hags on an outer surface; (d) loweringthe retrieval joint of casing and the centralizer so the lugs engage theinternal recess of the bowl protector; (e) raising the retrieval jointof casing to lift the centralizer and bowl protector out of thewellhead; (f) removing the bowl protector from the centralizer andremoving the centralizer from the retrieval joint of casing; and (g)attaching a casing banger to the casing string and landing the casinghanger in the wellhead.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bowlprotector has a plurality of slots extending from the internal recess toatop end of the bowl protector, and wherein: step (f) comprises rotatingthe bowl protector relative to the centralizer to align the lugs withthe slots and sliding the lugs axially through the slots to remove thebowl protector from the centralizer; and step (f) further comprisesremoving the bowl protector from the casing string.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein each centralizer segment has a hinge connectingmember, and wherein completing connections between each centralizersegment comprises coupling the binge connecting member of one of thecentralizer segments with the binge connecting member of the adjacentcentralizer segment.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein eachcentralizer segment has a hinge connecting member, and wherein removingthe centralizer from the retrieval joint of casing comprises uncouplingthe hinge connecting member of one of the centralizer segments from thehinge connecting member of the adjacent centralizer segment.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the centralizer comprises a plurality ofbowed members and the lugs are located on an outer surface of the bowedmembers, wherein the bowed members are urged inward then the bowedmembers are allowed to move outward to engage the lugs with the internalrecess of the bowl protector.
 17. A method for completing a well,comprising: (a) drilling the well through a wellhead having a bowlprotector inserted therein, the bowl protector having an internal recessand a plurality of slots extending from the internal recess to a top endof the bowl protector; (b) lowering a lower end of a casing stringthrough the bowl protector; (c) installing a retrieval tool on aretrieval joint of casing of the casing string, the retrieval toolcomprising two or more centralizer segments and a plurality of bowedmembers with lugs fastened to an outer surface of the bowed members; (d)lowering the retrieval joint of casing and the retrieval tool so thelugs engage the internal recess of the bowl protector; and (e) raisingthe retrieval joint of casing to lift the retrieval tool and bowlprotector out of the wellhead.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein eachcentralizer segment has an upper ring portion with an upper hingeconnecting member and a lower ring portion with a lower hinge connectingmember, and wherein releasably securing the retrieval tool to theretrieval joint of casing comprises coupling the upper and lower imageconnecting members of one of the centralizer segments with the upper andlower hinge connecting members of the adjacent centralizer segment. 19.The method of claim l7 wherein step (d) comprises urging the bowedmembers inward then allowing the bowed members to move outward to engagethe lugs with the internal recess of the bowl protector.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein step (e) further comprises rotating the bowlprotector relative to the cage centralizer to align the lugs with theslots and sliding the lugs through the slots to remove the bowlprotector from the centralizer.